Cantabile (from the Symphonic Fantasy on the tune "St. Patrick's Breastplate")

Thanks to the generous folks at Sonus Paradisi, I've been given the opportunity to play this great sample set. THANK YOU, Jiri!

This is just a quick upload. It turns out that I did it before: http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/17827

Joseph Waddell Clokey (August 28, 1890, New Albany, Indiana – September 14, 1960, Covina, California) was a student of Edgar Stillman Kelley. He served as dean of the School of Fine Arts at his alma mater, Miami University 1939-46 and had previously been professor of organ at Miami University (1916–1923) and Pomona College. His work included two symphonies including the "Dorian" Symphony, two orchestral suites, a string quartet, a cello and violin sonata, twelve choral works in large form, five operas, organ suites, many organ pieces, and more than a hundred published choral works.

I've always been fascinated by the title of the work that "Cantabile" is the middle movement of - the "Symphonic Fantasy on 'St. Patrick's Breastplate'", but this is "only" the slow (2nd) movement.

It makes use of the Chimes and the Harp, and yes, I use most of the solo stops, the Swell Oboe, the Solo French Horn and Grosse Flute, and the Choir Clarinet. You have to play these pieces in an "orchestral manner" if you're going to play it on an organ such as this. Even the very opening of the piece features the enclosed Great to fine effect.

The piece is based upon the great hymn-tune, "St. Patrick's Breastplate," composed by Charles V. Stanford (1852-1924), but this pieces uses the "inner tune," named "Deidre." The hymn is in A-B-A form. I assume that the other movements use the more grandly sweeping tune, but I've never seen nor heard any movement other than this one, so, the thematic material of the other movements is just a guess.

I'll be reviewing this sample set, as well as the new SP Hill organ in the coming weeks.

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Joseph Waddell Clokey and Sir Charles Villiers Stanford.